Brendan Fevola

Regarded as one of the most effective full forwards in AFL, Brendan’s incredible talent was recognised from a young age. Since then, he’s had a spectacular career both on and off the field of play.

Brendan began his AFL career as part of the Beaconsfield Junior Football Club before playing senior football in the Victorian Country Football League. His tremendous ability to kick goals earned him selection in the TAC Cup Team of the Year in 1998 and later caught the attention of recruiters. Brendan was one of three talented AFL prospects featured in the television documentary “The Draft”.

In 1998, Brendan was recruited by Carlton, announcing his arrival with an eye-catching 12 goals in a pre-season game on 31 December 1999 – the ‘Millennium Match’.  He then went on to become a highly effective full-forward with his kicking as his greatest asset.

Between 1999 and 2010, Brendan played 204 games for Carlton and Brisbane. He won the Coleman Medal for leading goalkicker in 2006 and 2009 and the All-Australian selection three times since 2006. Brendan has also played for Victoria and received the Allen Aylett Medal for being the state team’s best player and leading goalkicker in 2008. Reaching his career-best of 99 goals for the season in 2008, Brendan was selected as the Victorian State Player in the once-off AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match. From 2003 to 2009, Brendan was Carlton’s leading goalkicker and key forward.  After playing 187 senior games, Brendon left Carlton as a life member of the club. With 575 goals, he has scored the third most goals by any player in Carlton Football Club history.

In 2010, Brendan joined the Brisbane Lions, donning the number 5 guernsey.

Since retiring from the AFL, Fevola has continued to play in one-off matches for several local clubs around the country, drawing record crowds and booting big bags of goals. In 2012, he kicked eighteen goals for New Norfolk in Tasmania to set a new match record. Brendan returned the following year, kicking sixteen goals.

As a speaker, Brendan is open about his career and off-field highs and lows. He braves the controversial questions while sharing his story of redemption, discussing the positives and what turned him around. Brendan speaks on the mental health issues surrounding depression and addiction and the importance of getting help and hope.